Is it Happy Easter or Happy Resurrection day? Either way:
Easter eggs symbolize new life. Early Christian traditions representing the resurrection. Historically, eggs were dyed red to represent the blood of Christ, with traditions dating back to early Christians in Mesopotamia. Later, they became popular in Europe because eggs were forbidden during Lent, so they were decorated and eaten, or given as gifts, to celebrate the end of fasting.Here is a bit of Easter Trivia:
Where does the term the “Holy Grail” refer to?
When we refer to some person as being “A Judas” what kind of person is this?
What does the “Kiss of Death” refer to?
If someone says, “It is or it is not my cross to bear,” what is the person trying to say?
If I am “Washing my hands of this” what am I doing?
If I am “A Doubting Thomas” then what kind of person am I?
What is the difference between the meaning of “To be crucified” Biblically and how secularism uses the term?
Be a Well-Rounded Educator! Be an informed parent on what your kids are being taught!
Jesus’ death and resurrection has influences in literature, art, and history:
-Leonardo de Vinci: painted his idea of the Last Supper in 1498 on the wall of the Church and Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan, Italy.
-William Shakespeare assumed that those who attended his plays knew the stories of the Bible. He made hundreds of references to the Bible. For example, in his play “King Richard the Second,” the king says: “So Judas did to Christ: But he, in twelve, found truth in all but one; I, in twelve thousand, none. God save the king! Will no man say, amen”?
-Giovanni Battista Tiepolo, Italian artist, painted his idea of what the scene might have looked like when Jesus carried his cross to Calvary Hill. He painted “Christ Carrying the Cross” in 1737 and 1738.
-During the Civil War (1861-1865), a popular song was entitled “The Battle Hymn of the Republic.” It reflects a spiritually-motivated desire to end slavery and references the sacrifice of Jesus as an example to live by.
“In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea, With a glory in His bosom that transfigures you and me: As He died to make men holy, let us die to make men free, While God is marching on.” The stirring chorus, “Glory, glory, Hallelujah! His truth is marching on.”
-John Newton (1724-1801) was a slave trader who became a Christian. He later wrote the most well-known hymn of all time called “Amazing Grace.” The first two verses refer to Newton trusting in the message of Jesus’ death and resurrection and finding God’s favor (grace).
“Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me,
I once was lost but now I’m found, was blind, but now I see,”
“Twas Grace that taught my heart to fear, and Grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that Grace appear, the hour I first believed!”
-In 1963, the Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. was jailed for his civil rights actions. Some people called him an extremist–being too bold and going too far in his activities. He wrote in response, entitled “Letter from a Birmingham Jail,” He used the Bible to explain the importance of being extreme for goodness. He used the death of Jesus as an example:
“In that dramatic scene on Calvary’s hill three men were crucified…..”
-J.R.R. Tolkien (1892-1973), an English author, wrote “The Lord of the Rings.” He was a Christian and used Biblical allusions in his writings. His stories reminded readers of stories in the Bible.
Ex. Gandolf’s dramatic fight against the giant demonic figure Balrog of Moria illustrates the battle between good and evil. Gandolf sacrifices himself to save his friends, but later is “resurrected” in robes of white and appears to Aragorn, Gimli, and Legolas in a forest.
-Sunday: To this day, people use the day for rest, recreation, and church attendance.
Because the Bible states that Jesus rose from the dead on the first day of the week, early Christians began meeting together on Sunday to celebrate His resurrection. It was often referred to as “The Lord’s Day.” In A.D. 538, the church Council of Orleans (France) ordered that all Christians take the day off to attend church services. In A.D. 789, Charlemagne the Great outlawed all labor on Sunday.
In the Supreme Court case of Abington School District v. Schempp, Justice Clark, writing the majority opinion stated:
“...the state may not establish a ‘religion of secularism’ in the sense of affirmatively opposing or showing hostility to religion, thus ‘preferring those who believe in no religion over those who do believe…it might well be said that one’s education is not complete without a study of comparative religion or history of religion and its relationship to the advancement of civilization. It certainly may be said that the Bible is worthy of study for its literary and historic qualities.”
“An educated person needs to have an academic appreciation for Judeo-Christian history, though, and values.”
“Many today who disparage Christianity may not know or believe that, were it not for Christianity, they would not have the freedom that they presently enjoy. The very freedom of speech and expression that ironically permits them to castigate Christian values is largely a by-product of Christianity’s influences that have been incorporated into the social fabric of the Western world. This freedom, similar to the freedom that Adam and Eve once had, ironically permits the possessors of freedom to dishonor the very source of their freedom.” Alvin J. Schmidt
As Fernand Braudel has so eloquently stated, “Throughout the history of the West, Christianity has been at the heart of the civilization it inspires, even when it has allowed itself to be captured or deformed by it. “
Old Testament:
“But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all” (Isaiah 53: 5-6).
New Testament:
“Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life” (John 12: 23-25).
dreamsdontfade.com (finished the black history book now on to what to do when the culture hates you)
Enjoy this song “Higher Places” by Consumed By Fire this Resurrection Day
Heaven bound, all around
I hear the angels singing
Let it rain, let it fall
Bring on that glory feeling
I was lost, now I'm found
And there's just one good reason
You let it rain, you let it fall
You brought that holy healing
Higher places that's where we go
Higher places, look out below, low
He picked me up and set me down
Right next to the throne
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4XtyNthvQY&list=RDO4XtyNthvQY&start_radio=1